Cost to import a car from Japan to United Kingdom

Rates & rules last reviewed

The United Kingdom is one of the most natural destinations on earth for Japanese used cars — the UK drives on the left, which means Japan's right-hand-drive fleet fits straight onto British roads without any conversion or compromise. Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda are household names here, and a Japanese auction car in solid grade-3.5 or above condition can arrive cheaper than an equivalent on any forecourt. There is no maximum age cap on private imports, and under the UK's post-Brexit CEPA trade agreement with Japan the passenger-car tariff completed its phase-down to 0% from January 2026 — so a Japan-built car with valid origin proof pays no import duty at all, only 20% VAT on the imported value (without origin proof the standard third-country duty of approximately 10% still applies). The key compliance steps are NOVA notification to HMRC, an import declaration, and either Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) or the lighter MSVA route depending on the car's age and type, followed by DVLA registration and a UK MOT. Our licensed team manages the auction sourcing at USS Japan, ocean freight to the Port of Southampton, the customs paperwork, IVA coordination and inland delivery to your door — so the process is straightforward even if the regulatory detail is not.

Main ports
  • Southampton
Import age rule
No age cap. Notify HMRC via NOVA within 14 days; IVA/MSVA test for most non-type-approved imports (cars over 10 years old are exempt from IVA); DVLA registration.
Steering
RHD
Duties & taxes
Under the UK-Japan CEPA the passenger-car tariff completed its phase-down to 0% from January 2026, so a Japan-manufactured car with a Statement on Origin pays no customs duty — just 20% import VAT on the customs value. Without origin proof (or for cars not built in Japan, e.g. EU/US models sold in Japan) the 10% MFN duty still applies. The UK has no registration tax; VED road tax is an annual cost, not an import charge.

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Estimate only — duties, freight and last-mile delivery vary and policies change. Our team confirms exact, current figures on WhatsApp before any bid.

How to import a car from Japan to United Kingdom

  1. Choose a right-hand-drive car

    Tell us your budget, use case and preferred models. We shortlist right-hand-drive cars from Japanese auction — they need no steering conversion for UK roads — and confirm the spec is compatible with UK IVA or MSVA approval.

  2. We source it at USS auction

    Using our licensed USS auction access (Members Card L-1525), our team reads the auction sheet and grade, verifies real condition and bids on your behalf. You see the car before any money moves.

  3. Pre-shipment checks and CEPA origin documentation

    We prepare the customs declaration and, where the car qualifies, the Japan-origin documentation needed to claim preferential duty under the UK-Japan CEPA. Roadworthiness checks happen before the car is loaded.

  4. Ocean freight to Southampton

    The car sails to the Port of Southampton, the main UK ro-ro entry point. We send you the sailing schedule and vessel tracking once booked.

  5. HMRC NOVA, customs duty and VAT

    On arrival we submit the NOVA notification to HMRC, clear customs, pay the applicable duty (0% with CEPA origin proof since January 2026, otherwise ~10%) and 20% VAT on the imported value, then release the car for inspection.

  6. IVA / MSVA and DVLA registration

    We coordinate the Individual Vehicle Approval or MSVA test required before DVLA registration. Once it passes, we deliver the car to your address — Southampton, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow or wherever you are.

Import duties & taxes in United Kingdom explained

Under the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) the passenger-car tariff completed its staged phase-down to 0% from January 2026, so a Japan-manufactured car with a valid Statement on Origin pays no import duty; without origin proof (or for cars not built in Japan) the standard third-country duty of approximately 10% applies — the exact treatment depends on the car's origin documentation and tariff classification. On top of duty you pay 20% VAT on the combined customs value. Note that Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) and the IVA/MSVA inspection fee are separate from the import duty itself. Because the CEPA preference and the exact duty rate depend on your specific car and its paperwork, our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for United Kingdom

  • Toyota Corolla Axio

    A right-hand-drive family sedan from the Japanese domestic market that lands ready for British roads — frugal, easy to service and well under budget on most price bands.

    See prices

  • Honda Fit

    The Jazz in the UK by name, but importing the Japanese Fit directly gets you the same reliable platform in petrol or hybrid trim, in RHD, often at a fraction of UK used-car prices.

    See prices

  • Suzuki Swift

    Light, economical and easy to sell — the Swift is a safe first Japanese import for buyers watching every pound, and spare parts are everywhere in the UK.

    See prices

  • Mazda Demio

    The domestic Japanese Mazda2 — a nicely finished hatchback with a small engine that keeps running costs and any excise levy low. Right-hand drive fits the UK perfectly.

    See prices

  • Daihatsu Mira

    A genuine kei car with minimal fuel and tax costs. The UK has no kei-class restriction, so buyers who want the smallest possible running bill find a Mira an interesting option once IVA is cleared.

    See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in United Kingdom

  • Southampton — You are at the port — inland delivery for a sedan runs only about $150.
  • London — Delivery from Southampton to London adds roughly $200 for a sedan.
  • Birmingham — Delivery from Southampton to Birmingham adds roughly $240 for a sedan.
  • Manchester — Delivery from Southampton to Manchester adds roughly $300 for a sedan.
  • Liverpool — Delivery from Southampton to Liverpool adds roughly $300 for a sedan.
  • Glasgow — Delivery from Southampton to Glasgow adds roughly $460 for a sedan.

Frequently asked questions

Does Japan's right-hand drive work in the United Kingdom?
Yes — the UK drives on the left, exactly like Japan, so right-hand-drive Japanese cars need no steering conversion and are fully legal to register here. It is one of the strongest reasons to import from Japan to the UK.
Is there an age limit to import a car from Japan to the UK?
No — there is no maximum age cap on private car imports to the UK. The car must pass the relevant approval process (IVA or MSVA) and DVLA registration, but age alone does not bar it.
How much import duty do I pay on a Japanese car in the UK?
Since January 2026 the UK-Japan CEPA tariff on Japan-built cars is 0% with valid origin proof, so most JDM imports pay no duty at all; without origin proof the standard third-country duty of approximately 10% applies. Either way you also pay 20% VAT on the imported value. Our team confirms the exact figure for your car before you commit.
What is NOVA and do I need it?
NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrivals) is an HMRC requirement — you must notify them of any vehicle imported to the UK before it can be registered. Our team handles the NOVA submission as part of the clearance process.
How long does it take to ship a car from Japan to the UK?
Sea freight from Japan to the Port of Southampton typically takes several weeks, followed by customs clearance, IVA inspection and DVLA registration. Our team gives you a sailing schedule and full timeline before you commit.

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